Applicator for applying a cosmetic product

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin, notably the eyelids, comprising an applicator member, the latter having, on its external surface, an indentation and a substantially flat main facet situated between the indentation and the distal end of the applicator member, the width of the main facet increasing with increasing distance from the indentation, at least along a major part of the length of the main facet.

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmeticproduct to the skin, in particular to the eyelids, and to acorresponding makeup method.

In order to draw a line on the eyelids, it is known practice to usemakeup pencils.

Devices for making up the eyelids that comprise a reservoir containingthe product to be applied and a flexible applicator member for applyingthe product, wherein the applicator member is separate from thereservoir, are also known, in particular from Patent Applications FR-A-2633 256 and FR-A-2 412 287. In these devices, the applicator member isformed by a plastic tip which can be flocked or made of felt so as toretain product, or else by a tip comprising capillary grooves. Theapplicator member can also be in the form of a fine brush.

A device comprising a reservoir and an applicator member having a tip,wherein the latter is supplied with the product from the container bypressure exerted on the walls of the latter, is also known, from U.S.Pat. No. 4,370,989.

With such devices, the user applies the tip loaded with product to oneside of the eyelid, moving it as far as the other end, so as to draw aline in the same way as with a pencil.

However, it is relatively difficult to draw a regular line, notably witha constant thickness, along the entire length of the line. This isbecause the user tends to press on the tip with a variable force whiledrawing the line, and so the tip is squashed to a greater or lesserextent against the eyelid. Consequently, the width of the surface of thetip in contact with the eyelid, and thus that of the line drawn, varies.In the case of a fine brush, it is also quite difficult to obtain a fineline which is regular.

Moreover, it is very difficult to draw an identical line on botheyelids, since the user never presses in quite the same way.Specifically, the user is obliged either to change hands for eacheyelid, with the result that the less skilful of the hands is used, orto use the same hand for both eyelids and to carry out two differentmovements.

Other types of applicator have been described for applying eyelinercompositions to the eyelids with specific hand movements.

Application WO 99/55187 discloses a device for application to the skin,which is in the form of a pad having the shape of the desired design.The pad is supplied with cosmetic product by application of pressure toa reservoir.

Patent Application EP 1 669 003 describes a device for packaging andapplying a cosmetic product, comprising a container containing theproduct to be applied and a surface that delimits an opening, suppliedwith product from the container, and making it possible to form a designon the skin, notably on the eyelids, without being moved over the skin.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,255 discloses an applicator for the eyelids,comprising two arms that are spaced apart at their distal end and areconnected together by a stabilizing element that forms an applicationsurface, the latter coming into contact with the skin, deforming to formthe desired design in a single application.

Patent Application EP 1 466 540 relates to a device for applying andpackaging a product which is in two parts that are connected together bya flexible applicator that comes into contact with the skin, one of theparts forming a reservoir that contains the cosmetic product, and theother of the parts forming a cap for closing off an opening in thereservoir.

WO 2012/001347 discloses an eyeliner applicator comprising an applicatormember that is connected to the handle via a flexible portion.

DE 10 2008 063 063 relates to a pencil for applying a liquid product.

JP 2015-047360 discloses an applicator having an applicator member thatis connected to the handle through a link portion configured forallowing rotation of the applicator along an axis parallel to theapplication surface of the applicator member.

U.S. 2012/0037180 describes an applicator of eyeliner having amulti-layer structure.

Finally, Patent Application U.S. 2007/0017544 describes an applicatorfor the lips, the skin or the nails, comprising a flat applicator faceand an indentation adjacent to this applicator face.

These devices do not make it possible to obtain a great variety ofdifferent makeup results, do not adapt fully to the morphology of users'eyes and/or do not make it possible to produce particular effects,notably at the outer corner of the eye, in particular an upward flickthat ends in a point.

There is a need to further improve makeup devices, in particular for theeyelids, and notably to benefit from a device that adapts to themorphology of users' eyes while making it possible to obtain, ifdesired, a symmetrical makeup result on both eyes, and making itpossible to easily finish off the line produced. There is also interestin a device that is capable of producing a rising outer flick effect atthe outer corner of the eyes.

The invention aims to meet all or some of these needs by proposing anapplicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin, notably theeyelids, comprising an applicator member, the latter having, on itsexternal surface, an indentation and a substantially flat main facetsituated between the indentation and the distal end of the applicatormember, the width of the main facet increasing with increasing distancefrom the indentation, at least along a major part of the length of themain facet.

Preferably, towards its distal end, the applicator member narrows in itsthickness. For example, the applicator member has a thickness of between0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, notably 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, at its distal end.

The shape of the applicator member allows effective and preciseapplication of the cosmetic product. The shape of the applicator memberalso makes it possible, if desired, to draw lines with differentthicknesses in order to vary the effect obtained, for example by usingthe main facet or the side of the applicator member.

The main facet combined with the indentation makes it possible to havean application surface of which the width of the extent in contact withthe skin is relatively independent of the pressure applied by the user.

The detachment formed by the indentation makes it possible to clearlydefine the application zone by creating a clean boundary between theapplication surface formed by the main facet and the rest of theapplicator.

The indentation is different from an opening in the applicator memberfor dispensing a product to be applied.

Preferably, the applicator member does not present any discontinuity inthe indentation. For example, junction of two separately formed parts ofthe applicator is not situated within the length of the indentation.Preferably, the applicator member is molded in one piece, i.e. theindentation being molded integrally with the main facet.

Preferably, the main facet extends as far as the distal end. This allowsprecise application.

The width of the main facet may increase monotonically along its entirelength. In one variant, the width of the main facet increases withincreasing distance from the indentation and then decreases towards thedistal end. In this case, the width of the main facet can pass through amaximum.

Preferably, the applicator member has, starting from an abscissa on itslongitudinal axis corresponding to the proximal end of the main facet, awidth which increases or remains substantially constant along at least apart of the length of the applicator member.

Preferably, the width of the main facet is less than or equal, along itsentire length, to the width of the applicator member. It is for examplesubstantially equal to the width of the applicator member towards thedistal end of the applicator member.

The main facet may extend from the indentation. For example, theindentation is bordered on one side by the main facet and is formed,starting from this side, by a set-back surface of the applicator.

In this case, the indentation can be connected to the main facet,notably by a ridge or a point. This makes it possible to clearly delimitthe application surface, this contributing to the precision ofapplication.

In one variant, the main facet extends from a non-zero distance from theindentation. This distance, measured in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the applicator member, is for example less thanhalf the length of the indentation, and preferably less than one thirdof the length of the indentation, for example less than one sixth of thelength of the indentation.

Preferably, the indentation does not extend as far as the proximal endof the applicator member.

The main facet may have a droplet-shaped or polygonal, notablypentagonal or triangular, overall shape in front view.

For example, the main facet has two rectilinear edges in front view thatdiverge at the distal end of the applicator member and form an angle βof preferably between 2° and 45°, better still between 10° and 40°, evenbetter still between 10° and 30°, between one another

The two edges may have a rounded shape at the proximal end of the mainfacet.

In one variant, the main facet has two edges having a substantiallyparabolic shape along at least a part of its length extending from itsproximal end, in front view.

The applicator member may have, on its face away from the main facet, asurface that forms the back of the applicator tip. This back surface mayhave one or more cone or cylinder portions.

This back surface may have a recess, for example defined by anindentation.

The back surface may have a flat secondary facet.

Preferably, this secondary facet extends along a length, measuredparallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, which isless than or equal to that of the main facet.

Preferably, the secondary facet extends as far as the distal end of theapplicator member.

The width of the secondary facet may increase towards the distal end ofthe applicator member.

The secondary facet may be symmetrical to the main facet with respect toa plane containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, the applicator member comprises, as seen along thelongitudinal axis, facing the distal end of the applicator member, anend facet that connects the main facet to the back surface, at leastpartially.

The end facet is for example in the form of a strip. It may have awidth, between the back surface and the main facet, which is constant ordecreases with increasing distance from the distal end of the applicatormember.

The end facet may be flat or curved.

With the applicator member extending along a longitudinal axis, the mainfacet may extend along an axis inclined at an angle a, preferablybetween 0° and 60°, better still between 0° and 45°, even better still2° and 25°, relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.This inclination may make it easier to apply the product to the skin,allowing the hand to be at a distance from the surface of the skin to bemade up, in particular from the face.

The main facet may or may not be passed through by the longitudinal axisof the applicator member.

Preferably, in side view, the longitudinal axis of the main facet andthe indentation form an angle η of between 60° and 180°, better stillbetween 90° and 180°, between one another.

The indentation may extend through an angular sector of between 90° and180° around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

In one variant, the indentation extends all around the longitudinal axisof the applicator tip and has a constant or non-constant cross sectionabout said axis.

The indentation may have a rounded shape in side view. The thickness ofthe applicator member at the indentation is preferably between 0.5 mmand 10 mm, better still between 1 mm and 5 mm.

The applicator member may comprise, on its proximal side, a mounting endpiece, it being possible for the latter to extend along the longitudinalaxis of the applicator member.

The mounting end piece may be in the form of a cylinder of revolutionand be received in a handle or reservoir.

The applicator member may be made of a porous material, notably felt.

The applicator member may be made of a mixture of polyamide andpolyurethane resin, or of polyolefin, notably of polyethylene.

The applicator member may be shaped by machining, in particular bygrinding or laser machining.

The applicator member may be made of elastomer, in particular of SEBS orof polyester, for example Hytrel®.

The applicator member, in particular the main facet, may be at leastpartially flocked.

The applicator may comprise a handle that is provided at its end withthe applicator member.

The handle may be hollow and form a reservoir containing the product tobe applied. As indicated above, the applicator member may comprise, onits proximal side, a mounting end piece, the latter preferably beinginserted at least partially, and better still entirely, into an openingin the handle and extending at least partially into the reservoir.

The applicator member may be overmoulded on, or moulded together with,the handle.

The end of the handle may be attached to the side of the applicatormember away from that of the main facet.

The applicator may comprise a closure cap that is attached removably tothe handle and covers the applicator member.

The handle may be rectilinear. In a variant, the handle is curved, itslongitudinal axis notably being bent in a plane.

The length of the main facet, measured in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the applicator member, is preferably between 3 mmand 20 mm, better still between 5 mm and 15 mm.

The maximum width l_(max) of the main facet is preferably less than orequal to 10 mm, better still between 2 mm and 5 mm.

Another subject of the invention is an assembly comprising an applicatoraccording to the invention, as defined above, and a container containingthe product to be applied, preferably an eyeliner. The container may beseparate from the applicator.

The invention also relates to a makeup method comprising the step ofapplying a cosmetic product, preferably an eyeliner, to the skin withthe applicator according to the invention. This method may comprise thestep of applying the cosmetic product to the eyelids.

The product may be applied by dabbing the skin, notably the eyelids,with the applicator. In a variant, a line can be drawn on the skin,notably the eyelids, with the applicator.

A line can be drawn with the applicator, preferably with thelongitudinal axis of the main facet positioned substantially parallel tothe edge of the eyelid, the distal end being oriented towards theoutside of the face, or the applicator being inclined slightly upwardsat the end of the line so as to extend the line with a flick towards theoutside of the face.

The invention may be better understood from reading the followingdetailed description of nonlimiting implementation examples thereof, andwith reference to the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an applicator member according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 is a front view along the arrow II of the applicator member fromFIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view along the arrow III of the applicator member fromFIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a variant applicator member accordingto the invention,

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 of another variant applicatormember according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is an axial view of the applicator member from FIG. 5 along thearrow VI,

FIG. 7 is a view of the applicator member from FIG. 5 along the arrowVII, and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 7 of a variant applicatormember according to the invention.

It can be understood that a side view as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8refers to a view observed in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the applicator member and parallel to the mainfacet thereof.

A front view as illustrated in in FIGS. 2, 7 and 9 refers to a viewobserved in a direction perpendicular to the direction according towhich a side view of the applicator member is observed and perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the applicator member and allows observingthe main facet thereof.

FIG. 1 shows an applicator 2 according to the invention, comprising ahandle 5 and an applicator member 10 extending along a longitudinal axisX.

Preferably, the handle 5 is rectilinear, but it may also be curved. Thehandle 5 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Xof the applicator member.

The handle 5 may be hollow and contain the cosmetic product to beapplied. The handle 5 thus acts as a reservoir.

The applicator member 10 may be porous so as to allow the cosmeticproduct to reach the surface used for application, in particular bycapillary action.

In a variant, the applicator is moulded in one piece with the handle andused to pick up the cosmetic product to be applied from a reservoirseparate from the applicator.

The applicator member 10 is made for example of a porous material,notably a felt.

The applicator member 10 may be made of a mixture of polyamide andpolyurethane resin, or of polyolefin, notably of polyethylene.

The applicator may comprise a closure cap, not shown, that is attachedto the handle 5 and thus covers the applicator member 10.

As illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 1 to 4, the applicator member10 has, on its external surface, an indentation 12 and a main facet 20extending from the indentation 12 as far as the distal end 25 of theapplicator member 10.

The width l of the main facet 20 increases with increasing distance fromthe indentation and reaches a maximum l_(max) before decreasing towardsthe distal end 25 of the applicator tip 15, as can be seen in FIG. 2.Starting from a given abscissa on the longitudinal axis X, the width lof the main facet 20 is equal to the width L of the applicator member10.

The greatest width l_(max) of the main facet 20 is preferably less thanor equal to 10 mm, better still between 2 mm and 5 mm.

The length D of the main facet, measured in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10, is for example between3 and 20 mm, better still between 5 mm and 15 mm.

Preferably, the main facet 20 is inclined relative to the longitudinalaxis X. The main facet 20 extends along an axis Z that forms an angle αof preferably between 0 and 60°, better still between 0 and 45°, evenbetter still between 2° and 45°, with the axis X.

The main facet 20 may be passed through by the longitudinal axis X ofthe applicator member, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or not, as illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 8.

Preferably, the main facet 20 is symmetrical with respect to its axis Z.The main facet 20 may be droplet-shaped, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the variants illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, the main facet 20 has asubstantially triangular shape, having two rectilinear main edges 35 aand 35 b that diverge towards the distal end 25 of the applicator member10.

The indentation 12 and the main facet 20 form a ridge 13 between oneanother, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. Preferably, the ridge 13 isrectilinear, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

Preferably, the facet 20 and the indentation 12 form an angle η ofbetween 30° and 145°, better still between 80° and 130°, between oneanother at their junction, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

At a distance from its proximal and distal ends, the indentation 12 maycomprise a ridge 16 that extends in a direction parallel to the ridge13.

The indentation 30 may have, in side view, a shape that is at leastpartially rounded at the rear, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the rearrounded part 17, the indentation 12 has for example a radius ofcurvature r of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, better still between 1 mm and 2mm.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator member 10 comprises anend facet 42 connecting a part of the main facet 20 that is situated onthe side of the distal end 25 of the applicator member 10 to a surface43 that forms the back of the applicator member 10. The back surface 43may comprise an indentation 24, the bottom 18 of which is offset withrespect to that 19 of the indentation 12 along the longitudinal axis Xof the applicator member.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, the main facet 20 extendsfrom a non-zero distance m from the indentation 12. This distance m,measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X of theapplicator member, is for example between 0.5 and 1.5mm.

The main facet 20 has a substantially triangular shape, having tworectilinear main edges 35 a and 35 b that start from the proximal end 34of the main facet 20 and diverge towards the distal end 25 of theapplicator member 10.

The main facet 20 also comprises an end edge 35 c at the distal end 25of the applicator member 10, which is rectilinear and has a length equalto l_(max).

The edges 35 a and 35 b form an angle β of between 2 and 45°, betterstill between 5 and 45°, even better still between 15° and 30°, betweenone another. Preferably, the edges 35 a and 35 b are symmetrical withrespect to the axis Z.

Preferably, the main facet 20 has a rounded tip at its proximal end 34.

In one variant, the edges 35 a and 35 b form a parabola near theproximal end 34 of the main facet 20, as can be seen in FIG. 9.

The width L of the applicator member may be constant along the entirelength D of the main facet 20, as illustrated in FIG. 7, or increase, asillustrated in FIG. 9. In these examples, the width l of the main facet20 is strictly less than the width L of the applicator member 10 alongthe entire length D of the main facet 20. The spacing therebetween may,however, be very small at the end 25 of the applicator member 10, asillustrated in FIG. 9.

Towards its distal end, the applicator member 10 narrows in itsthickness e. The thickness e of the applicator member 10 at the distalend 25 is for example between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.8and 1 mm.

The back face 43 of the applicator member 10 may comprise a secondaryfacet 41 that extends along a length S, preferably less than D, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The secondary facet 41 may be symmetrical to the main facet 20 withrespect to the plane containing the axis X and parallel to the edge ofthe end 35 c of the main facet 20, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The secondary facet 41 forms, in side view as illustrated in FIG. 5, anangle γ with the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10. γ isequal to α in the example illustrated. In a variant, the angles α and γmay be different.

The angle (γ+α) is preferably between 5° and 25°.

The main facet 20 is connected to the secondary facet 41 by the endfacet 42 via the end edge 35 c of the main facet and an end edge 41 c ofthe secondary facet 41, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The end facet 42 has aflat shape. The width h of the end facet 42 is substantially constantbetween the end edges 35 c and 41 c.

In this example, the indentation 12 extends all around the longitudinalaxis X of the applicator member 10 and thus forms an annular groovewhich extends, inter alia, over the back surface 43 thereof.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the back surface 43 of theapplicator member has, in side view, a change in concavity. The backsurface has a recess 24.

The applicator member may comprise a mounting end piece 23, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9.

The mounting end piece 23 preferably has a shape substantially in theform of a cylinder of revolution, preferably with a chamfer 50 at itsend to make it easier to introduce into the opening in the handle 5.

The diameter E of the mounting end piece 23 is for example between 2 and20 mm, notably between 2 and 10 mm.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just beendescribed, the characteristics of which can be combined with one anotheras parts of variants which are not illustrated.

It is possible in particular to have a curved handle containing theproduct to be applied, the applicator having an applicator member madeof a porous material or an applicator comprising a feed duct for theproduct.

1. Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin; comprising anapplicator member, the latter having, on its external surface, in sideview, an indentation and a substantially flat main facet situatedbetween the indentation and the distal end of the applicator member, thewidth of the main facet, in front view, increasing with increasingdistance from the indentation, at least along a major part of the lengthof the main facet.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the mainfacet extends as far as the distal end.
 3. Applicator according to claim1, wherein the width of the main facet increases with increasingdistance from the indentation along a first part of the length of themain facet and then decreases towards the distal end of the applicatormember.
 4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the width of themain facet increases along the entire length of the latter withincreasing distance from the indentation.
 5. Applicator according toclaim 1, wherein the applicator member extends along a longitudinalaxis, the main facet extending along an axis inclined at an angle αrelative to the longitudinal axis, the angle α being between 0 and 60°.6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the main facet extends fromthe indentation.
 7. Applicator according to claim 6, wherein the recessis connected to the main facet by a ridge or a point, the longitudinalaxis of the main facet and the indentation forming an angle η of between30° and 145° between one another at their junction.
 8. Applicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the main facet extends from a non-zerodistance from the indentation.
 9. Applicator according to claim 1,wherein the main facet has two substantially rectilinear edges in frontview that diverge towards the distal end of the applicator and formangle β of between 10° and 40° between one another.
 10. Applicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the indentation has a rounded shape alongat least a part of its length in side view.
 11. Applicator according toclaim 1, wherein the applicator member has, on its face away from themain facet, a surface that forms the back of the applicator member. 12.Applicator according to claim 11, wherein the back surface has a recess.13. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein the back surface comprisesa secondary facet.
 14. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein theapplicator member comprises an end facet that at least partiallyconnects the main facet to the back surface.
 15. Applicator according toclaim 1, wherein the width of the main facet is less than the width ofthe applicator member along the entire length of the main facet. 16.Applicator according to claim 1, comprising a handle that is provided atits end with the applicator member, wherein the handle is hollow andforms a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, the applicator membercomprising, on its proximal side, a mounting end piece, the mounting endpiece of the applicator member being inserted at least partially into anopening in the handle and extending at least partially into thereservoir.
 17. Assembly comprising an applicator according to claim 1and a container containing the product to be applied, the containernotably being separate from the applicator.
 18. Assembly according toclaim 17, the container being separate from the app